What is the Higher Specialist Scientist Training programme?
The Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) programme aims to produce consultant scientists who are capable of meeting the scientific needs of the healthcare system. The design of the programme is underpinned by Good Scientific Practice, which sets out the principles, values and the standards of behaviour and practice for the healthcare science workforce. The programme offers plenty of scope for personal development and a wide range of opportunities to use specialist scientific skills and interests for the benefit of patients. A trainee on the programme will work directly with patients as well as being involved in innovation, research and development, education and training, to the benefit of the future scientific workforce.
The programme offers work-based training supported by an underpinning doctorate level academic programme, commissioned by NHS England through the Manchester Academy for Healthcare Scientist Education (MAHSE). In Life Sciences the doctorate is optional but there is an additional requirement to complete the Fellowship examination of the Royal College of Pathologists.
Trainee’s follow a bespoke training programme agreed in advance with their Supervisor, and record evidence of their work-based activity in an online e-portfolio. All evidence of activity for assessment is mapped against the Higher Specialist Standards of Proficiency.
What does the HSST curriculum deliver?
For all specialties the HSST curriculum delivers a mastery of higher scientific knowledge alongside clinical and scientific competence. It also requires a trainee to contribute to innovation or improvement through service delivery, patient safety, care, public communication/outreach and quality management. It delivers both personal and professional development in:
- high-level leadership skills
- management
- teaching
- values, attitudes and behaviour
All of which are appropriate for higher professional practice in the NHS.
The HSST curricula was developed through joint working with:
- the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
- individual medical royal colleges
- senior scientists
- scientific professional bodies
- employers and patients
Its underpinning academic doctoral programme was established through joint working with the Council for Healthcare Science in Higher Education and workforce commissioners.
The training allowance
To support a trainee on the Higher Specialist Scientist Training programme, a training allowance is provided. This training allowance is in addition to tuition fees for the DClinSci academic programme and will apply to both direct entry and in-service posts.
The training allowance is £13,796 per commissioned trainee per year, for each of the 5 years of training. The training allowance is paid to the relevant training centre and may be monitored and/or audited via the NHS Education Contract, which is in place between the NHS and each placement provider.
Funding for academic fees will be held centrally to commission the Doctoral Level Award from the commissioned education provider (Manchester Academy of Health Science Education – MAHSE).
Expected use of the training allowance
The training allowance is provided on the understanding that it be used flexibly within the employing department to cover the costs of accessing the programme, or address the opportunity costs of training that would include as a minimum:
- expenses, including travel and accommodation costs associated with required HEI attendance as part of the DClinSci
- costs of taking Royal College of Pathology Examinations
- costs of any additional learning that may be needed out with the DClinSci including travel and accommodation
- research project costs
- costs of cover to enable release of the individual undertaking HSST
In agreeing to support an individual to undertake the HSST programme, the employing or host department is committed to releasing the individual to access the formal academic learning that underpins the programme and to support them with time to undertake the required workplace research and learning.
It is expected that an agreement would be reached between the employee/direct entry hosted HSST and their workplace on the level of support that will be available to them to complete their programme of study, prior to an individual commencing the programme. This agreement would be expected to recognise the changing requirements of the programme as it progresses.
NHS England reserves the right to audit the use of the training allowance, in addition to any local education contract monitoring, to ensure that it is being used solely to support the education and development of the individual undertaking the HSST programme and has been of benefit to that individual.
Eligibility requirements for applicants
All applicants are required to undergo a formal appointment and benchmarking process, which is overseen by the National School of Healthcare Science. Applicants must be Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered as clinical scientists at the start of their training, although they may apply for entry if they are going through the process of application for equivalence and registration or meet the criteria for BMS entry.
Candidates may also have a further year in the workplace to consolidate and enhance clinical scientific skills, learning and experience (including research and education) and are required to demonstrate through interview the ability to meet any additional specific selection criteria required for a particular specialism.
A widening of the of the eligibility criteria for HSST also allows senior Biomedical Scientists, who can demonstrate ability to work at Level 7 via academic and professional qualifications, to apply to join the programme. Both Biomedical Scientists and Clinical Scientists will be subject to the same HSST interview process to determine suitability and readiness. The qualifications to confer eligibility will include:
- HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist, IBMS Specialist Diploma and relevant MSc
- HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist, IBMS Specialist Diploma and IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma or IBMS 2-part Fellowship Special Exam
- HCPC Registration as a Biomedical Scientist, IBMS Specialist Diploma and IBMS Diploma of Expert Practice